REUTERS
Inter Milan have reached a breakthrough in their pursuit of Liverpool star Curtis Jones with the player now ready to push for a move, according to TEAMtalk.
Liverpool have been looking for a number of players to come in and bolster their squad this summer, with Victor Munoz the only deal they have completed so far, despite all of Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson departing on free transfers.
But the midfield has been another position in which new manager Andoni Iraola has been looking to address, amid question marks over the future of Jones and Alexis Mac Allister. So far the club have stood firm in talks, but that could all be about to change.
Jones Ready to Push for Liverpool Exit
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Jones, who has been described as 'incredible', is into the final year of his contract at Anfield and has attracted the interest of a number of clubs, including Serie A champions Inter Milan.
The Italian giants made a move to sign the England international in January, and he agreed to the move, only for the demands of the Reds to prove to be too high to get a deal done. They have returned this summer, making several bids, but have found the same issue.
GIVEMESPORT sources understand Liverpool want in excess of £40m to allow their academy star to move on, and it could take a fee closer to €50m (£42.7m) but Inter are only willing to pay around €35m (£29.9m). However, they have not abandoned their pursuit and still want to get a deal done.
Inter have communicated their willingness to go that high via intermediaries, and while any bid at that value is not expected to be accepted, Inter have not ruled out a fresh offer.
But according to TEAMtalk, Jones is now ready to make a push from within to get the deal over the line, feeling as though his time at Anfield has now come to an end.
Liverpool are prepared to keep the player and lose him for nothing next year rather than sell for lower than their valuation, and while Iraola is keen to keep him in his squad, he has made it clear he wants the situation solved sooner rather than later.
Jones has given his word to Inter that he wants to join them this summer, and with no contract talks scheduled between Jones and Liverpool, a move now looks more likely with the player ready to make it clear that he wants to go.
Jones' Liverpool Career is Done
REUTERS/Peter Powell
Jones has been one of the better performers at Liverpool over the last few seasons, and it's rather surprising that the club have allowed his situation to get to this point.
The player is quite clearly frustrated at how things have gone at his boyhood club, and tempers flared in pre-season with an on-pitch argument with Kostas Tsimikas and Dominick Szoboszlai over the captain's armband.
It's clear that the situation now needs to be settled one way or another, and with the player very keen to move on, it feels as though an exit is now inevitable.